![]() | Eastern Imperial CountyBrochure and Map of BLM Routes of Travel for Easter Imperial County in California. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). |
BLM Routes of Travel
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Bureau of
Land Management
WELCOME
Imperial County lies within the 7-million-acre Colorado Desert
in southern California. This unique desert landscape is
characterized by broad valleys and low, rugged mountain
ranges carved by washes from the draining of seasonal rains.
Though elevations range from 275 feet below sea level to nearly
10,000 feet in the mountains, most areas are below 1,000 feet.
Summer daytime temperatures in the Colorado Desert can reach
more than 110 degrees, and the average annual rainfall is only
2.92 inches. This region contains habitat for wildlife, supports
commercial operations such as mining, renewable energy, and
utility transmission, and provides a variety of recreational
opportunities.
The public lands in eastern Imperial County are managed
according to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Northern
and Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan
(referred to as NECO), which updates the California Desert
Conservation Area Plan of 1980. A primary emphasis of NECO is
the designation of routes of travel for motorized vehicles that
protect the resources while still providing visitors access to the
history, wilderness, recreation (including off-highway vehicle use),
and wildlife throughout the area.
RECREATION
Dispersed Sites: Camping opportunities can be found throughout
the public lands administered by the BLM. Primitive campsites
offer one of the best ways to experience the deserts of California.
These sites are widely dispersed, undeveloped, and generally
do not have signs marking them as campsites. They are usually
clear of vegetation and have a hard, compacted surface. The BLM
generally allows dispersed camping on all BLM lands with the
following conditions and exceptions:
2.
HISTORY
The Colorado Desert contains thousands of historic and prehistoric
archaeological sites and artifacts (objects made or used by
humans) that provide a rich legacy of more than 10,000 years of
human history in North America. Unfortunately, many sites have
been damaged by unauthorized artifact collection and vandalism,
which is illegal and subject to severe civil and criminal penalties.
Some sites do allow activities such as rockhounding and metal
detecting, with certain limitations. Where these activities are not
allowed, please enjoy these fragile, nonrenewable resources by
viewing, sketching, or photographing them, leaving the surface of
the site undisturbed and the artifacts untouched.
Tumco Historic Mining Town
Tumco is an abandoned gold mining town located in the Cargo
Muchacho Mountains east of the Imperial Sand Dunes along
Ogilby Road. Originally named Gold Rock Camp, and then Hedges,
Tumco is also one of the earliest gold mining areas in California.
Its history spans roughly 300 years, with several periods of boom
and bust.
Gold was first discovered by Spanish colonists as they moved
northward from Sonora, Mexico. According to legend, two young
boys came into their camp one evening with their shirts filled with
gold ore. These muchachos cargados (loaded boys) were the
namesake for the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, where the Tumco
deposits occur. Following the first discovery of gold, Mexican
settlers operated numerous small mines for many years.
In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed the Yuma to Los
Angeles line of its transcontinental route. The railroad allowed
access to the gold in the Cargo Muchachos, leading to a gold
rush into the area and the establishment of the town of Hedges.
This initial rush to stake individual mining claims soon gave
way to mining companies that moved into the area, purchased
claims, and developed the mines on a large scale. A 12-mile
wood pipeline pumped more than 100,000 gallons of water per
day from the Colorado River to the mines and the railroad carried
mine timbers from northern Arizona for use in the expansive
underground workings. The Golden Cross Mining and Milling
Company was formed in 1893, but high costs and operational
problems put the company into receivership in 1895. In 1897,
the area was taken over by the Free Gold Mining and Milling
Company. By 1907, this company had abandoned the area and
Hedges had become a ghost town. The United Mines Company
took over the area in 1910, naming the town from the letters in the
company name (TUMCo).
During the boom of the 1890s, the town supported about
400 people, making it the largest town in what is now Imperial
County. The 140 mill stamps operating during its heyday
produced $1,000 per day in gold. Ultimately, over 200,000
ounces of gold was taken from the mines in the area. Historical
accounts describe Tumco as a typical raucous mining town with
rich eastern investors, unscrupulous charlatans, and colorful
characters—that ultimately fell into financial ruin. Although the
Tumco townsite has long been abandoned, gold mining has been
conducted more recently near the western end of this valley.
In early 1995, the American Girl Mining Joint Venture began
operations near the site of some of the early mines in the area.
Additional historic information about the area can be found in the
Journal of San Diego History, spring and summer 1996 issues.
The Wiley Well District
The Wiley Well District is located south of Interstate 10 between
Desert Center and Blythe. This beautiful desert country is nestled
within the Little Chuckwalla, Mule, and Palo Verde Mountains and
the Black Hills. The hills are dotted with sparse desert plants, and
paloverde trees line the washes, giving the impression of water
and cool shade. The area is known for its colorful flowers, which
are coaxed from cactuses and other vegetation by winter rains.
The area is also rich in history, and contains ancient fossils as well
as artifacts from early Native Americans, pioneers, conquistadors,
gold miners, ranchers, and military troops, including those trained
by General Patton during World War II.
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Rockhounds can find agate, chalcedony roses, jasper, psilomelane
(romanechite), and amygdules throughout the hills and washes.
Another major attraction for rockhounds is the Opal Hill Fire Agate
Mine in the Mule Mountains, where very fine fire agate, quartz
crystal “flowers,” calcite crystals, chalcedony nodules, and other
mineral specimens can be found. There is a fee to dig in this
privately owned area.
In January 2000, the California Federation of Mineralogical
Societies and the BLM signed a memorandum of understanding
to designate the Wiley Well District as a Rockhound Educational
and Recreational Area and to preserve over 36 square miles of this
outstanding collecting area for rockhounding.
Information provided by Richard Pankey, California Federation of
Mineralogical Societies, Inc.
Wilderness areas are special places where the land and resources
retain a primeval character and remain essentially undisturbed.
These areas provide habitat for numerous wildlife species,
sources of clean water, and natural laboratories for research
and education. They also provide extraordinary opportunities
for solitude as well as recreational activities such as hiking,
climbing, horseback riding, birdwatching, and stargazing. Visitors
should expect primitive terrain with no facilities, trails, or other
improvements. In accordance with the 1964 Wilderness Act,
no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or other form
of mechanical transport is allowed in wilderness. Wilderness
boundaries are set back 30 to 300 feet from the roads or trails
leading to them.
Indian Pass Wilderness
Indian Pass Wilderness is a distinctive part of the Chocolate
Mountains, which extend from south-central Riverside County
to the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona. The highest point in
this 32,418-acre wilderness is Quartz Peak at 2,200 feet. The
jagged mountain peaks and spires are sliced by mazes of twisting
canyons that carry water from occasional desert cloudbursts into
several tree-lined washes. One of these washes passes through
the heart of the wilderness, giving the region the nickname “Julian
Wash country.” The area’s proximity to the Colorado River and
the Arizona Desert contributes to the presence of wildlife species,
such as the Colorado River toad, Great Plains toad, and tree lizard,
that are common in other states, but are rarely seen in California.
Burros and mule deer make their home throughout the entire area,
and the rugged mountains provide ideal habitat for the desert
bighorn sheep. Wild horses can often be found wandering into
Julian Wash country, which is located about 50 miles west of
Brawley.
Little Picacho Wilderness
Little Picacho Wilderness, located 55 miles east of El Centro,
encompasses the southern portion of the Chocolate Mountains.
This 38,214-acre wilderness, which ranges in elevation from
200 to 1,500 feet, is characterized by jutting spires and steep
ridges with ravines that gradually broaden into sandy, tree-lined
washes. Slopes and plains are devoid of vegetation, instead
covered with a desert pavement of angular cobbles. These
rusty dark orange and brown cobbles stand out against the
nearly white bottoms of the washes. A herd of 25 desert
bighorn sheep enjoy the terrain, and the Picacho wild horse
herd ranges over roughly 5,000 acres in the northwest corner of
the wilderness. Wild burros can also be found roaming through
the area. These animals share their home with the desert tortoise
and the spotted bat.
Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness
Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness is distinguished by twin buttes,
known as the Flat Tops, which stand out as a landmark against
a range of jagged peaks. Palo Verde Peak is the high point of the
range, rising to 1,800 feet. Dry washes cut across the mountain
slopes, supporting such vegetation as paloverde, mesquite, and
ironwood. Clapp Spring and its palm oasis are unique to this area,
offering the only permanent water source to wildlife species like
desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and wild burros. Saguaros,
a rare plant species in California, dot the southeastern part of this
30,562-acre wilderness located 18 miles southwest of Blythe.
Picacho Peak Wilderness
Picacho Peak Wilderness, located 40 miles south of Blythe, contains
8,858 acres composed of three distinct regions. The central and
western region is dominated by a massive range of dark gray
mountains extending southeast from Indian Pass. Mica Peak, the
highest point within the wilderness at 1,499 feet, is located near the
center of this range. The region south of these central mountains
is a rolling benchland that is dissected by narrow, vertical walled
arroyos. The third region is the northeastern area, where small
peaks, open basins, and large washes have formed. The lowest
points in the wilderness area are found in Gavilan and Carrizo
Washes on the eastern boundary. The Carrizo Wash supports a
natural rock “tank,” which traps water at the base of Carrizo Falls.
The falls are created by runoff from desert cloudbursts, which
periodically cascade over a series of rock ledges dropping 40 feet. A
large cattail-lined pool at the base of the falls provides a desert oasis
for a variety of wildlife species, including desert bighorn sheep.
Wild horses and burros roam this wilderness, and desert tortoises
burrow in the soft volcanic soils.
Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
The 28,034 acres of the Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
include rugged mountains surrounded by a large, gently sloping
bajada laced with a network of washes. To the north, a bajada
gently rises to 400 feet, while the rugged mountains crest at
2,100 feet. Portions of this region provide habitat for bighorn sheep
and desert tortoise, and the southern bajada provides crucial desert
tortoise habitat. Several sensitive plant species grow here, including
the California snakeweed, Alverson’s foxtail cactus, and barrel
cactus.
• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a lightweight gas stove
for cooking. Fires, where permitted, should be kept small
and within existing fire rings. Wood in arid environments is
scarce, so bring your own firewood or do without.
Camping is permitted for up to 14 days within a 28-day
period at any location, after which campers must relocate at
least 25 miles away.
• Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance. Properly store
food and do not feed wildlife. Keep pets away from wildlife.
Camping is prohibited within 300 feet of any developed water
source, including water guzzlers or watering troughs, to keep
water accessible to wildlife and livestock.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Be courteous and
respectful. Yield to others on trails. Avoid making loud
noises.
A permit may be required for campfires. Contact the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or the
BLM El Centro Field Office prior to your trip if you plan to
have a campfire. Restrictions on fires vary depending on fire
danger, county ordinances, and other variables.
Rockhounding
Rockhounding is one of many recreational activities on BLM
lands in California. Rockhounds are welcome to collect small,
noncommercial quantities of rocks, minerals, and gemstones free
of charge on BLM lands. Commercial collecting for the purpose
of sale or barter is not allowed without special authorization.
Rockhounds may use hand tools such as shovels and picks but
must not use explosives or power equipment for excavation.
In accordance with the California Desert Conservation Area
plan, as amended, stopping, parking, and vehicle camping is
allowed within 300 feet of designated routes of travel, except
within sensitive areas (such as areas of critical environmental
concern, desert wildlife management areas, and critical
habitat areas) where the limit is 100 feet from the route.
Noncommercial collecting is allowed on most federal lands,
but there are some exceptions. Some lands are withdrawn or
reserved for certain purposes, such as outstanding natural areas,
research natural areas, recreation sites, and national historic
sites. Other lands are not open to collecting due to the presence
of mining claims. The local BLM office can provide information
about collecting areas, including whether any are closed or have
fire or vehicle-use restrictions.
Camping is prohibited within 1 mile of any of the long-term
visitor areas (LTVAs), where visitors are allowed to camp for
as long as 7 months.
Tent camping is permitted within all wilderness areas
managed by the El Centro Field Office.
Metal Detecting
Another recreational activity on BLM lands involves using metal
detectors. Metal detecting is allowed on BLM lands as long as
no artifacts (objects over 50 years old) are removed and surface
disturbance is minimal. Avoid all cultural and archeological sites;
leave artifacts undisturbed and report them to the appropriate
BLM field office. Digging in or otherwise damaging archaeological
sites will lead to civil or criminal penalties. Metal detecting
enthusiasts may remove a handful of rocks from picnic areas,
campgrounds, recreational sites, and other areas as long as
those areas are not part of a mining claim. Mining claims can
be researched on BLM’s land and mineral Legacy Rehost 2000
System (http://www.blm.gov/lr2000). If you have any questions
regarding your activities, please contact BLM’s El Centro Field
Office for authorization.
• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Get to know the area, rules,
regulations, and any other special concerns before you visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Use designated
routes. Camp at previously used sites. When there is no
danger of rain or flash flooding, camp in washes, where signs
of camping will eventually be washed away. Camp at least
300 feet away from water sources.
• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. Pack
out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Deposit human waste
OFF-HIGHWAY
VEHICLE USE
Routes of Travel Designations
There are numerous opportunities for off-highway vehicle (OHV)
recreation on the lands managed by BLM’s El Centro Field Office.
Miles of trails await all types of OHV enthusiasts. Please keep in
mind that you are responsible for knowing, understanding, and
complying with all OHV regulations. Please obey all signs regarding
the management of public lands and routes. The NECO planning area
is designated as a “limited use” area for vehicle travel, which means
that vehicles must stay on approved, signed routes (open routes) and
that no cross-country vehicle travel off of those routes is allowed.
Vehicle travel is also prohibited in military training areas.
All routes, including navigable washes that have been inventoried and
mapped on public lands, are designated in the NECO plan as open
routes with the following exceptions:
WILDERNESS
• Leave What You Find: Protect cultural resources. Leave all
artifacts as you find them. Leave natural objects and avoid
damaging vegetation or transporting nonnative species.
Leave No Trace: Many dispersed campsites are showing signs
of impact from heavy use. You can lessen your impact on the
desert by following these principles of minimum impact:
Best known for its many geode beds and a variety of other rocks
and minerals, the Wiley Well District has been popular with
rockhounds since the 1940s. Geodes are hollow, spherical rock
structures composed of chalcedony that have crystals of quartz,
calcite, or other minerals lining their walls and extending into
the hollow, often forming a beautiful display. There are several
productive geode beds in the Black Hills, including Hauser, Roads
End, Potato Patch, Cinnamon, Straw, and Hidden Saddle Beds.
Geodes can still be found at the surface of the beds. More geodes
may be found by digging into the soft volcanic ash; however,
disturbance to the surface must remain within allowable limits.
1.
Where such use has already been limited or prohibited through
publication of a final notice in the Federal Register.
2.
Where specific biological parameters proposed through the NECO
plan are applied to minimize harassment of wildlife and significant
disruption of wildlife habitats relative to motorized-vehicle use.
3.
Where restrictions on use are required to protect other resource
values of the public lands, promote the safety of all users of the
public lands, or minimize conflicts among various uses of the
public lands. All navigable washes on public lands that have not
been individually inventoried and mapped are designated “open”
as a class except where such washes occur within a “washes
closed zone” created to meet management goals.
The NECO planning area adjoins the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation
Area (ISDRA). While cross-country travel is not permitted within the
NECO area, the ISDRA is an open area, which means that crosscountry travel is allowed. The ISDRA can be accessed near Glamis.
California Off-Highway Vehicle Laws
Many, but not all, parts of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) are
highlighted below. Operators are responsible for knowing the law.
Safety Requirements - Operators and passengers of all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) must
wear an approved safety helmet (38505, 38601 CVC). Operators and
passengers of ROVs must wear a properly fastened seat belt and
shoulder belt or safety harness when in motion (38602 CVC).
Adult Supervision - ATV operators shall be at least 14 years of age
unless they satisfy the safety certification requirements of 38503
CVC and are accompanied and supervised by a parent, guardian, or
authorized adult (38504 CVC). ROV operators shall be at least 16 years
of age or directly supervised in the vehicle by a parent, guardian, or
authorized adult (38600 CVC).
Noise Restrictions - Noise emissions of off-highway vehicles shall be
limited to not more than 96 dBa if manufactured on or after January 1,
1986, and not more than 101 dBa if manufactured before January 1,
1986 (38370(h)(1) CVC). Please visit http://ohv.parks.ca.gov for other
restrictions and information.
Carrying of Passengers - No ATV operators shall carry a passenger
on public lands unless the ATV is designed to carry a passenger, then
they may carry no more than one passenger (38506 CVC). Operators
of 2014 or later ROVs shall not allow passengers to occupy a seat not
designed and provided by the manufacturer. In older models, seats not
designed and provided by the manufacturer may only be occupied if
the passenger is fully contained inside the vehicle’s rollover protection
structure at all times during operation (38603 CVC). ROV passengers
must be able to grasp the occupant handhold with their back against
the upright seatback and their seat belt and shoulder belt or safety
harness properly fastened (38604 CVC).
El Centro Field Office
in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from
water, camp, and trails. Disguise catholes when finished.
Pack out toilet paper in two sealable bags. Avoid polluting
water sources.
Camping
1.
BLM Routes of Travel for Eastern
Imperial County, California
EMERGENCY INFORMATION:
Police-Fire-Ambulance
911
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office
760-339-6311 or
1-800-452-2051
California Highway Patrol
(El Centro Office)
760-482-2500
CHP Local Road Conditions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Dispatch
760-482-2555
1-800-901-2003
1-800-BE-ALERT
For More Information Contact:
Bureau of Land Management (www.blm.gov)
El Centro Field Office
1661 S. 4th Street
El Centro, CA 92243
760-337-4400
Yuma Field Office
7341 E. 30th Street
Yuma, AZ 85365
928-317-3200
Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-833-7100
SAFETY
In the Colorado Desert, temperatures in the summer often exceed
110 degrees. Visitors should plan accordingly and carry a minimum
of a gallon of water per day for each member of their party, as well as
sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a daypack. Cell phone and global
positioning system (GPS) coverage may be limited in remote areas, so
you may also want to carry maps and a compass. In addition, always
advise others of where you are going and when you plan to return.
BLM/CA/GI-11/012+8300+REV17
Operating an OHV Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any
alcoholic beverage, any drug, or a combination of both, to drive a
vehicle (23152(a) CVC). Driving off-road or on-road with a suspended
or revoked license is against the law (14601 CVC).
Speed Laws
1. Basic Speed Law: No person shall operate an off-highway
vehicle faster than is safe for conditions (38305 CVC).
2.
Prima Facie Speed Limit: The prima facie speed limit within
50 feet of any campground, campsite, or concentration of
people or animals shall be less than 15 mph unless changed as
authorized by the CVC (38310 CVC).
Registration
1. Vehicles operated on federal and state highways and county
roads must be licensed for highway use (4000(a) CVC).
2.
Off-highway vehicles owned by California residents must be
registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and
properly display a valid Green Sticker or Red Sticker Vehicle
Identification Tag (38020, 38010, 38170 CVC).
3.
Off-highway vehicles without a valid registration or permit from
the owner’s home state (or Mexico and Canada) must purchase
a California nonresident permit (sticker) through selected vendors
in California, Nevada, and Arizona or from California State Parks,
916-324-4442 (38020 CVC).
Required Equipment - Any off-highway vehicle must be equipped with
an approved muffler, brakes, and spark arrester. A headlight and at least
one red tail light are required for operation at night (38330 CVC).
Environmental Damage - No person shall operate an OHV in a
way likely to cause environmental damage (38319 CVC, 43 CFR
8341.1(f)(4)).
Firearms - Firearms must not be discharged within 150 yards of
residences, buildings, campsites, occupied areas, recreational areas,
or domestic livestock. Shooting from or across any road is prohibited.
Shooting from a vehicle is prohibited. It is unlawful to carry a loaded
weapon in a vehicle (California Fish and Game Code 3004, California
Penal Code 374c, 12034, and 12031, respectively).
Supplementary Rules
The following rules apply on public lands administered by the BLM
California Desert District unless explicitly authorized by a permit or
other authorization document issued by the BLM:
• Public nudity is prohibited at all developed sites and areas and all
off-road vehicle (ORV) open areas.
• It is prohibited for a person to ride in or transport another person
in or on a portion of an ORV or trailer that is not designed or
intended for the transportation of passengers.
• It is prohibited to use as firewood, or have in their possession,
any firewood materials containing nails, screws, or other metal
hardware, including, but not limited to, wood pallets and/or
construction debris.
• Possession of glass beverage containers is prohibited in all
developed sites and areas and all ORV open areas.
• It is prohibited to place into the ground any nonflexible object,
such as, but not limited to, metal or wood stakes, poles, or
pipes, with the exception of small tent or awning stakes, at all
developed sites and areas and all ORV open areas.
• It is prohibited to reserve or save a camping space for another
person at all developed sites and areas and all ORV open areas.
• All persons must keep their sites free of trash and litter during the
period of occupancy.
WILDLIFE
While it seems that little could survive in this harsh, arid
environment, a wide variety of wildlife species have adapted to
the climate of the Colorado Desert. Such adaptations are evident
in the microphyll woodlands that have developed in the alluvial
fan formed as flash floods drain from the Cargo Muchacho and
Chocolate Mountains onto a flatter plain. In these microphyll
woodlands, the mesquite, creosote, ironwood, and paloverde have
evolved with small leaves, enabling them to retain more water
and stay cooler. This canopy of small leaves provides shelter from
the sun’s intense rays for the coyotes burrowing beneath it and
the great horned owls nesting within it. It also shades the ponds
that form from the summer monsoons, supplying the Couch’s
spadefoot, desert tortoise, and numerous other species with much
needed water. These microphyll woodlands support the highest
density of wildlife within the desert. Maintaining the delicate
balance of this desert environment is critical to the survival of
the wildlife found here and throughout the area, particularly those
species that are sensitive, threatened, or endangered. Please
respect the wildlife you encounter and avoid any disturbance to
wildlife habitat.
Desert Tortoise
The desert tortoise, a federally threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act, is a seldom-seen inhabitant of the
desert. The tortoise’s potential habitat range extends east from
the microphyll woodlands along the east side of the Imperial Sand
Dunes. If you find a tortoise in the desert, respect its privacy
and space. You may take pictures and observe it, but do not
touch or harass the animal. If you find a tortoise, either dead or
alive, don’t collect it. Call the BLM El Centro Field Office with the
general location, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates
(if available), your contact information, and the condition of the
tortoise. Report any vandalism, harassment, or collecting to the
El Centro Field Office or the California Department of Fish and
Game’s “CalTip” number: 1-888-334-2258. For more information,
contact the El Centro Field Office or visit www.tortoise.org or
www.deserttortoise.org.
Desert Wildlife Management Areas
Desert wildlife management areas (DWMAs) have been
established for the protection and recovery of the desert tortoise.
DWMAs encompass much of the designated critical habitat
for the desert tortoise and are managed as areas of critical
environmental concern (ACECs). They may overlap other specially
designated areas on BLM and military lands. Special management
measures have been established to minimize disturbance to
habitat and maximize mitigation, compensation, and restoration
from authorized uses within the DWMAs.
Danger
Keep
Out!
Danger
Keep
Out!
Danger
Keep
Out!
This scale only applies to this
route diagram and not to the
smaller route insets.
•
Designated routes are suitable for all types of off-highway
vehicles, including motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and
4x4 vehicles.
•
No off-route travel is allowed in limited use areas.
•
No use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or other
form of mechanical transport is allowed in wilderness.
•
Vehicle camping is allowed within 300 feet of designated
routes of travel, except within sensitive areas (such as
areas of critical environmental concern, desert wildlife
management areas, and critical habitat areas), where the
limit is 100 feet from the route.
•
County roads (open to street legal vehicles only) are often
graded dirtroads and are considered “easy,” and open
routes are generallyconsidered “moderately difficult.”